The late “Dimebag” Darrell‘s longtime guitar tech, Grady Champion, will be taking part in Pantera‘s upcoming reunion shows.
In an Instagram post, Champion shares that while he won’t be the tech for Zakk Wylde, who’s playing guitar in the reformed metal outfit in place of Dime, he will “run effects and help bring Dime’s tone to the party.”
“The details of the rig and stuff are still to be worked out yet,” Champion says.
Champion also plans to bring some of Dime’s personal gear for Wylde to use, courtesy of Rita Haney, Dime’s longtime partner and trustee of his estate.
Elsewhere in the post, Champion shares his thoughts on Pantera’s reunion, which will feature surviving members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, as well as Wylde and Anthrax‘s Charlie Benante in place of drummer Vinnie Paul, Dime’s older brother. Some have criticized Anselmo and Brown for reforming the band and continuing to use the Pantera name without Dime and Vinnie, both of whom have passed away since the group broke up in 2003.
“Anyone that brings up ‘money grab’ has no concept of reality,” Champion says. “How much it takes from people to do this. More dedication that you’ll ever see, tears, all of it. If you want to hate, don’t go, I don’t want to hear it.”
“If you want a Pantera experience, this is it,” he adds. “We’re giving it hell, and going to give it all there is to give. Philip, Rex Brown, Zakk and Char Benante are going to bring it.”
The first Pantera reunion shows are scheduled for this December at Mexico’s Hell & Heaven festival and Slipknot‘s South American Knotfests.
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